The Servant- A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership

Title: The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership

By: James C. Hunter

• URL

Key takeaways;

• Listening - “true” listening
• Leadership is a skill - The skill of influencing people to work enthusiastically toward goals identified as being important.
• Leadership is about authority not power.
  • “Power - The ability to force or coerce someone to do your will, even if they would choose not to, because of your position or . “
  • “Authority: The skill of getting people to willingly do your will because of your personal influence.””
• Upside down triangle, who is closet to the customer, and is what leaders serve

• leaders serve “needs”, not wants. “Leadership begins with aligning our intentions with actions and our choice of behavior, we can choose to Meet the legitimate needs of people (Not wants)- as a result we will have to serve and sacrifice - where we build influence and authority and eventually earn the right to call ourselves leaders. “

• what needs to be a good leader: + Patience = showing self control
  • Kindness Giving attention, appreciation and encouragement
  • Humility = being authentic and without pretense or arrogance
  • Respectfulness - treating others as important people
  • Selflessness - Meeting the needs of others
  • Forgiveness - giving up resentment when wronged
  • Honesty - being free from deception (More than not telling lies)
  • Commitment - make your choice and stick to it

• Results in service and sacrifice - setting aside your own wants and needs, seeking the greatest good for others

• Environment - leader don’t make things grow - leaders provide the environment and opportunity for it.